Fernando Alonso and Alpine to “scratch heads” on how to improve for second Austria race

Styrian Grand Prix

Alonso and Alpine to “scratch heads” on how to improve for second Austria race

Spaniard finished ninth after struggling for pace in Styrian race

Will Gray

Sunday 27 June 2021 20:44

Fernando Alonso is to join his Alpine engineers in 'scratching heads' on how he can improve on his ninth place in the Styrian Grand Prix when F1 returns to Austria next weekend.

The Spaniard, who started in eighth place, lost a position during the race when he tried to move aside and give leader Max Verstappen a clear path to pass after receiving blue flags to warn him he was about to be lapped.

Alonso said: “I think we are in the position we deserved today. P9, a couple of points, not the best but it’s a challenging circuit for our package, we saw that yesterday and we see today.

Article continues under video

“The timing of the blue flags was not in our favour today but I have to say that even if I exit in front of the Ferraris they would pass because they had a better race pace.“

Alonso hoping to learn lessons for Red Bull Ring take-two

The teams have the rare opportunity to race twice in the same venue this fortnight, with this Sunday’s race and next weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix both taking place at the Red Bull Ring in the Styrian mountains.

Alonso feels the track does not suit his Alpine car but hopes the next two days of analysis can unlock some performance and enable him to improve on his two-point haul next Sunday.

“Unfortunately, we race two times here so we need to scratch our heads into next weekend," added Alonso.

"But, you know, we’re happy with the points, we take them, but hopefully there is more to come in five days’ time.

“There are some good points we will take from this weekend and we have the luxury of testing again in five days’ time in the same place, so whatever ideas may come in the next 48 hours we have the opportunity to test them.”